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Aggressive driving
By
Chuck Huss, C.O.M.S.
All
motorists, including those with low vision , will likely be confronted with
situations involving aggressive drivers. Sometimes the latter becomes more
noticeable during peak or rush hour times of the day, Monday through Friday,
holidays or when the bars close.
The
following document is a brief summation of what aggressive driving and other
related behaviors are, examples of such behaviors, and how to avoid or reduce
the risk of becoming part of the problem.
Incorporating
these preventive measures, along with other appropriate defensive driving skills
or behaviors will enable drivers to establish and maintain a safe space cushion
around your vehicle from other road users who share your roadways.
I. Definitions
Aggressive Driving - driving behavior that endangers or
is likely to endanger people or property (R. Martinez, MD, NHTSA), or a
combination of unsafe and unlawful driving actions that show a disregard for
safety (A. Nerenberg, clinical psychologist).
Road Annoyance - having negative thoughts towards
another driver or verbalizing negativity (such as muttering) in a manner that is
not communicated to the other driver (A. Nerenberg, clinical psychologist).
Road Rage - one driver expressing anger at another
driver for something he or she did on the road (A. Nerenberg, clinical
psychologist).
II. Examples of such Behaviors
Aggressive Driving - speeding, running red traffic
lights, tailgating, or following too close, improper passing, improper lane
changes, disregarding stop signs, passing loading or unloading school buses,
driving under the influence, failure to wear seat belts and improper or non-use
of child safety seats.
Road Annoyance - muttering without visual contact with
other drivers.
Road Rage - yelling, obscene gesturing, pressing the
horn, flickering head lights up and down, spitting, hostile stares, tailgating,
cutting off other drivers on lane changes, firing a gun, ramming a vehicle as a
weapon, stalking and running other drivers off the road.
III. Counter Measures (D. Willis, AAA Foundation for
Traffic Safety)
· Use seat belts - saves 9.5000 lives annually
· Drive the posted speed limits
· Avoid eye contact with the aggressive driver - keep it
impersonal
· Give the angry "road warrior" wide berth - if
he/she escalates the dispute, get out of there!
· Don't block the passing lane
· Don't tailgate
· Use your horn sparingly
· Don't lane change without signaling
· Don't cut off other drivers - honor other's space
cushion
· Don't use obscene gestures
· Don't allow car phones to distract you
· Don't use your high beams to punish other drivers
· Be mentally prepared to deal with an aggressive drive
situation
· Put yourself in other drivers shoes - there may be a reason
he/she is driving the way he/she is
· Learn to manage your anger
· Improve your in-car environment (listen to soothing music,
book on tape, or relaxing breathing tapes)
· Know how to turn off anti-theft alarms · Don't allow your
car door to strike an adjacent parked vehicle
· Report instances of aggressive driving to law enforcement
authorities - #77 on cellular phones in many areas of the USA.
Also
see: DrDriving.org -
a website concerned with the psychology of driving.
Charles
P. Huss, C.O.M.S. Coordinator, Low Vision Driver Services
West
Virginia Rehabilitation Center P.O. Box 1004 Barron Drive Institute, WV 25112
TEL: 304-766-4803 FAX: 304-766-4816 Charles P. Huss is an Academy
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist with 25
years of teaching experience with visually impaired
individuals [K-Geriatrics].
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